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'UK must follow Africa’s example to tackle FGM and improve chances of prosecution'

Britain should learn from countries such as Niger and Ethiopia to overcome cultural sensitivities and improve the chances of a first prosecution for female genital mutilation, a report says today.

World Vision says a lack of knowledge about the practice and a fear of being viewed as racist or xenophobic is stopping politicians and professionals from tackling FGM.

The charity says Britain has “struggled to get a grip” of the problem as a result, leaving thousands of girls still at risk of the devastating health problems FGM can cause.

By contrast, the report says some African countries have made significant progress in tackling FGM using methods that provide lessons for this country and show change is possible.

In Niger, for example, the prevalence of FGM has halved in less than a decade after the authorities enlisted the support of religious and community leaders to challenge beliefs in favour of the practice.

The report says Niger’s success is also the result of the government training judges, police, social workers and others in awareness of FGM, and aided further by the use of community media and local languages in targeting groups practising mutilation.

The charity’s report also highlights Ethiopia, where there are now regular prosecutions despite challenging constraints on resources, such as a lack of transport for police to use when trying to collect evidence.

It attributes this success to pro-active work by police and health staff, who are identifying potential victims and setting up reporting mechanisms through trusted community members and local services. The charity says the measures have reduced the incidence of FGM as well as increasing the number of prosecutions.

Calling for Britain to adopt such methods, the report states: “The substantial reductions in FGM achieved by Ethiopia and Niger should encourage campaigners and policy-makers in the UK that change is possible.

“This is a crucial moment to consider the lessons and best practice learned overseas in eliminating FGM.”

FGM was made illegal in 1985, but no prosecutions have been brought so far. Tens of thousands of girls in Britain are still judged to be at risk of mutilation, which can cause lifelong medical and mental suffering.